Elections, the left is heading toward victory Berisha and all senior PD officials leave headquarters without a statement on the vote SPECIAL IN PAGES 2-14

Foreign media refers to journalist Anila Basha BY ALESSANDRO FARRUGGIA The old populist Sali Berisha, prime minister and president, is leaving; after eight years in power, he aims to end his career as well as possible. Socialist leader Edi Rama, who has failed twice and from whom the value is thought to have been caused by vote theft, this time has every chance. However, the unknown of an Albanian “Golden Dawn” remains. (you can find the article at http://blog.quotidiano.net/farruggia/2013/06/23/prove-deuropa-a-tirana/) Albania’s fate hangs by a thread. On one side is Europe, on the other unclear Balkan prospects. “The elections,” explains the EU ambassador in Albania Ettore Sequi, “are a key test for Albania’s European integration prospects. In October we will probably draft a new report for the Council of Europe, in which we will recommend or even specify under what conditions Albania will be granted candidate country status, the first step toward opening negotiations. Naturally, the holding of good elections will be important.” It would be like a test of democratic maturity. If there is no vote theft, Albania may hope to pass the class; otherwise it will be rejected again in October. The two main parties have taken the matter seriously, hiring well-known foreigners. Berisha chose John Podesta, a Clinton success, while Rama brought in Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s former right-hand man. And, for the first time... CONTINUES ON PAGE 10

The number of voters increases, fewer incidents PAGE 5

Elections turn bloody, an emigrant is killed PAGE 4

Meta calls on Berisha: Leave power without bloodshed! PAGE 4

...always one step ahead.... Spices and dried fruit Address: Tirana-Durrës Highway, km. 7, Yzberisht Tirana; Tel: 042 406 500; 042 406 501; Fax 042 406 502; e-mail: neranxi@neranxi.com; www.neranxi.com

The PS secretary in Vlore is hit twice in one day Explosive device in the car of chief prosecutor Dorjan Tafili PAGE 10

Elsa Lila photo with the PS leader, Edi Rama PAGE 3

Cyan magenta yellow black